Beverage container cap

ABSTRACT

A cap for use with a beverage container comprising a housing that attaches to a beverage container, the housing comprising an opening for dispensing the contents of the beverage container and further comprising a valve button, a valve seal actuator located inside the housing, and a valve seal comprising a food grade elastomeric material that in its resting position is biased against the internal top surface of the housing to seal the opening, wherein pressure on the valve button activates the valve seal actuator to open the seal formed between the valve seal and the opening.

This is a continuation-in-part of Application No. 29/446,761, filed Feb.27, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety asif set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of beverage container capsand containers. In particular, the invention relates to a reusable,washable cap that can be used with a variety of different beveragecontainers.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art includes reusable water bottles and other insulated andnon-insulated beverage containers with removable caps of various types.Such beverage containers come in a huge variety of styles andconfigurations with caps ranging from simple threaded lids that must becompletely removed to drink the beverage, to complex systems withstraws, valves, and other mechanisms. Existing systems, however, havefailed to meet the need for a beverage container and cap that is easy tocarry, easy to use without unwanted spillage, and dishwasher safe.Existing beverage containers have further failed to meet the need toprovide users with useful information during use of the container aspart of various activities such as walking, hiking, biking, etc.

The present invention overcomes these problems, providing a dishwashersafe cap for a beverage container that can be carried by hand orsecurely attached to a belt, garment, or bag, with a simple, reliablevalve. The cap can be equipped with various sensors and output devicesthat provide a range of useful information to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the invention comprises a cap for usewith a beverage container comprising a housing that attaches to abeverage container, the housing comprising an opening for dispensing thecontents of the beverage container and further comprising a valvebutton, a valve seal actuator located inside the housing, and a valveseal comprising a food grade elastomeric material that in its restingposition is biased against the internal top surface of the housing toseal the opening, wherein pressure on the valve button activates thevalve seal actuator to open the seal formed between the valve seal andthe opening. The valve seal may use the spring force of the elastomericmaterial to achieve and maintain a seal, and may have a sealing sidethat matches the interior contours of the housing in the area ofopening. In various exemplary embodiments, the valve seal has agenerally U-shaped profile with a generally vertical actuating side, anda generally vertical anchor side that may be contoured to match theshape of the interior side of the housing or other adjacent surface. Thevalve button may be located on the side surface of housing generallyopposite the peripheral location of the opening.

In various exemplary embodiments, the cap further comprises a clip thatextends downward from lower periphery of housing, and which may have aconcave inner surface to provide for secure engagement when used with abelt or in a pocket. The clip may also comprise a material that improvesfrictional engagement such as an elastomeric material or coating. Invarious exemplary embodiments, the housing further comprises a displayfor the presentation of information to the user, and may include one ormore sensors to gather information to be displayed to the user such as aheart rate monitor, a pedometer, or other metric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of thebeverage container cap described herein.

FIG. 2A is top view of an exemplary embodiment of a valve button,actuator and valve sealing mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a valvebutton, actuator and valve sealing mechanism in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2C is side view of an exemplary embodiment of a valve button,actuator and valve sealing mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2D is front view of an exemplary embodiment of a valve button,actuator and valve sealing mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a containercap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3B is an alternate perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of acontainer cap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a container cap inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3D is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a container cap inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3E is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a container cap inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a container cap inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a partial section top view of an exemplary embodiment of acontainer cap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4C is a section C-C side view of an exemplary embodiment of acontainer cap in accordance with the present invention with the valveclosed.

FIG. 4D is a section D-D side view of an exemplary embodiment of acontainer cap in accordance with the present invention with the valveopen.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a container capin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective partial section view of an exemplary embodimentof a container cap in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a containercap in accordance with the present invention attached to a bottle.

FIG. 8A is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a container cap inaccordance with the present invention attached to a bottle.

FIG. 8B is a section B-B view of an exemplary embodiment of a containercap in accordance with the present invention attached to a bottle.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a container cap inaccordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation,specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understandingof the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments orapplications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to theembodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, andgeneral principles defined herein may be applied to other embodimentsand applications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited tothe embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention a cap 100 attaches to a beverage container by means ofthreads 102 that engage complimentary threads on the beverage container.It will be understood that other systems and structures can be used toattach the cap to the beverage container, such as elastomeric seals,snap fit connections, etc. Any such attachment that provides a secure,fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and cap may be used.Moreover, cap 100 can be used with any type of beverage container havingany shape, configuration, or construction and including withoutlimitation steel and plastic water bottles, coffee and other insulatedcups, etc.

In various exemplary embodiments, cap 100 comprises a housing 104 thatconnects to the beverage container and that may be made from a singlepiece or assembled from two or more component parts. Housing 104 mayinclude a handle 106 extending outward from the housing to allow theuser to easily carry the beverage container by hooking it through one ormore fingers or by attaching it to a garment or bag by a hook or otherconnector such as a carabiner. Housing 104 may also include a valvebutton 108 that can be actuated by pressing it inward relative to theouter surface of the housing 104 to open a valve 110 and allow thebeverage in the container to flow out of the opening 112. In variousexemplary embodiments, handle 106 extends from the housing 104 at alocation above and adjacent to the valve button 108 to provide a stablestructure for the user's hand to securely grasp the beverage containerand cap 100 when the valve button 108 is actuated.

The beverage in the container attached to the cap 100 flows from opening112 when valve 110 is opened. In an exemplary embodiment of theinvention, opening 112 is located near the periphery of a top surface114 of the housing 104. In various embodiments, top surface 114 may takeany shape and may be contoured to manage the flow of liquids that escapefrom the opening 112. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in theaccompanying drawings, top surface 114 can be sloped back and away fromopening 112 and slightly down to the sides to prevent accumulation offluids and to direct the flow of any fluids that leak from the opening112 away from the user. By positioning the opening as shown on the topsurface 114, the taper and angle provide for a proper mouth fit for easydrinking, with no place for fluids to collect.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, valve button 108 is locatedon a side surface of the housing 104. Valve button 108 is actuated bythe user by depressing it inwardly relative to the side surface ofhousing 104. As shown in the accompanying drawings, in an exemplaryembodiment of the invention valve button 108 is located on the sidesurface of housing 104 generally opposite the peripheral location ofopening 112. In this location, one or more of the user's fingers willnaturally land on the valve button 108 when the beverage container isgrasped and raised the user's mouth. Handle 106 can also be arrangedsuch that the user's finger will naturally be positioned on the valvebutton 108 when the user grasps the beverage container. In variousexemplary embodiments, handle 106 extends out and up from the edge ofthe top surface 114 of the housing 104 at a location above and adjacentto the valve button 108 at an angle of 15-25 degrees from horizontal.This location and upward angle allows for a comfortable, secure gripthat naturally places the user's index finger directly on the valvebutton 108 so that the valve can be operated while maintaining a securegrip on the beverage container.

Valve button 108 may be contoured to naturally engage the user's fingerso that it can be easily depressed by pressure from the user's finger.Housing 104 may also include a gripping area 116 on the side surface ofhousing 104 adjacent to opening 112 where the user's thumb willnaturally land when the beverage container is grasped for use. Grippingarea 116 may be contoured or provided with a surface that improvesfrictional engagement by the user's thumb.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, housing 104 includes a clip118 that extends downward from lower periphery of housing 104 and can beslipped over a belt or other strap, or into a pocket on a garment or bagto securely hold the beverage container. Clip 118 may be contoured toimprove engagement with such structures. In an exemplary embodiment, theinner surface of clip 118 is concave to provide for secure engagementwhen used with a belt or in a pocket. Some or all of clip 118 may alsobe contoured or may be comprised of a material that improves frictionalengagement such as an elastomeric material or coating.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, valve button 108 can bedepressed into a valve button cavity 120 extending into the housing 104.Valve button 108 may include a valve button shaft 122 or other extensionthat extends through an aperture 124 in the valve button cavity 120 intothe interior of housing 104. Valve button 108 may be biased outward bysprings 126 or any other suitable biasing mechanism. In an exemplaryembodiment, a button shaft seal 128 seals the aperture 124 and mayretain the valve button shaft 122 to retain the valve button 108 in thevalve button cavity 120. In various embodiments, other mechanisms suchas elastomeric seals or molded stops can be use to retain the valvebutton 108 in the valve button cavity 120.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, valve button shaft 122 isattached to valve seal actuator 130. The valve seal actuator 130 islocated inside housing 104, and in its resting position may be adjacentto the valve button cavity 120. The valve seal actuator 130 may helpretain the valve button 108 in the valve button cavity 120.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, valve seal 132comprises an elastomeric material that is preferably a food-gradematerial such as silicone. Other elastomeric materials such asthermoplastic elastomers or similar materials that can maintain theirshape over time may also be appropriate. Valve seal 132 may take anysuitable shape and be placed in a suitable location that allows it to beretained within housing 104 in a resting position where it seals offfluid flow from opening 112. In various exemplary embodiments, valveseal 132 is slightly loaded such that it is biased against the internaltop surface of the housing 104 in the region of the opening 112 to sealthe opening 112. By mounting the valve seal 132 under a slight load, thevalve seal 132 uses the spring force of the elastomer itself to achieveand maintain a seal, thus eliminating the need for a separate biasingmechanism.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, valve seal 132 has agenerally U-shaped profile with a generally vertical actuating side 134,a sealing side 136 that matches the interior contours of the housing 104in the area of opening 112, and a generally vertical anchor side 138that may be contoured to match the shape of the interior side of thehousing 104 or other adjacent surface. The actuating side 134 isdisposed toward the interior of the housing 104 and the anchor side 138is adjacent to the housing 104 or another surface or feature thatmaintains the anchor side in a fixed position. At rest, the sealing side136 is in contact with inner side of the top surface 114 of the housing104 and may be under a slight load such that it completely covers andseals the opening 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a seal mounting plate140 is affixed to housing 104 and the valve seal 132 is seated in theseal mounting plate 140, holding the valve seal 132 in position withinthe housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, anappropriate load on the valve seal 132 can be achieved by positioningseal mounting plate 140 relative to the interior of top surface 114 ofhousing 104 so that the valve seal 132 is compressed in the range of 20to 30 thousandths of an inch.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the valve seal 132seals the opening 112 in the resting position but can be deformed by aforce exerted by valve actuator 130 such that it no longer seals theopening 112. Referring to valve sections C-C (closed) and D-D (open)shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention,when the valve button 108 is depressed into the valve button cavity 120,valve actuator 130 is forced in a lateral direction such that a portionof the valve actuator 130 exerts a force on the actuating side 134 ofthe valve seal 132. This force on the actuating side 134 of the valveseal 132 causes the valve seal 132 to elastically deform away from theopening 112. As long as a fluid path is maintained from the beveragecontainer through the housing 104 to the opening 112, the beverage canbe dispensed through opening 112.

The valve actuator 130 can be configured using a wide range ofgeometries to allow for a fluid path through the housing 104 to theopening 112. In one exemplary embodiment, valve actuator 130 has a mainbody that extends in a generally vertical direction and that is attachedto the valve button shaft 122 such that it moves in a lateral directionwhen the valve button 108 is pressed by the user. The valve actuator hasa generally U-shaped section that extends laterally to a point adjacentto or in contact with the valve seal 132 on the upper portion of theactuating side 134 in the resting position with the valve closed. Alarge aperture extends through the valve actuator 130 below and the inthe area of the generally U-shaped lateral extension, which allows fluidto easily pass through the valve actuator. When the valve button 108 ispressed by the user, the valve actuator 130 moves laterally such thatthe generally U-shaped lateral extension exerts a lateral force on theupper portion of the actuating side 134 of the valve seal 132, deformingthe valve seal 132 to overcome the sealing bias, and separating thesealing side 136 from the inner surface of the top of the housing 104and opening 112. The opening 112 is then open to fluid flowing from thebeverage container through the aperture in the valve actuator 130.

It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that thearrangement and geometries of the various valve components describedherein can be varied to achieve the same result of a deformable,elastomeric valve seal. For example, the geometry and mounting of thevalve seal 132 can be changed in a variety of ways that still use thespring force of the elastomer itself to achieve and maintain a seal.Similarly, the geometry and mounting of the valve actuator 130 can bechanged in a variety of ways that achieve the necessary deformation ofthe valve seal 132 while allowing a fluid path from the beveragecontainer to the opening 112 when the valve is open.

In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the valve buttoncavity 120 is sealed such that the valve button 108 and the biasingsprings 126 or other button biasing mechanism do not come in contactwith the contents of the beverage container and are kept clean and dry.Because the exposed parts disposed within the interior of the housing104 are firmly attached and made of a suitable elastomer or otherdurable material, this allows the entire cap 100 to be completelyimmersed in water for cleaning by hand or in a dishwashing machine. Thesimplicity of the design allows for the cap to be made so that it ismicrowave safe.

In various exemplary embodiments, an air vent can be provided in thehousing 104 to provide for free fluid flow through the opening 112. Inan exemplary embodiment, an air vent 142 is located in button cavity 120and can be provided with an air vent seal 144 to prevent theunintentional release of fluids from the air vent 142. This locationimproves the aesthetics of the beverage cap by placing the air vent 142in a location where it cannot be seen. In an exemplary embodiment, airvent seal 144 is affixed to valve button 108 and positioned such that itseals the air vent 142 in the resting position when the valve is closed,but then moves laterally so that the air vent 142 is open when the valvebutton 108 is pressed by the user and the valve is opened. In thisarrangement, the air vent seal 144 and the valve seal 132 are bothactuated by pressure on the valve button 108, such that both areactuated simultaneously so that the fluid can flow freely to the opening112.

In various exemplary embodiments, the housing 104 can provide a cavity150 for mounting decorative items, instruments such as a compass oraltimeter, or informational devices such as display screens. In variousexemplary embodiments, the beverage container cap can be equipped withone or more digital processors, storage devices, output devices,sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS systems, pedometers,physiological monitors, thermometers, etc. that provide information thatcan be output to the user via a display mounted in cavity 150. Sensorscan be placed at appropriate locations throughout the housing includingthe valve button 108 and gripping area 116 where the user's handsnaturally grip the cap during use. Systems can be provided to measure,store, and display instantly or over time the user's heartrate,respiration rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, hydration or anyother physiological characteristics. Systems can also be provided tomeasure, calculate, store, and display instantly or over time trip,location, and activity information such as physical location,temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, time, elapsed time, numberof steps, alarms, altitude, etc.

In various exemplary embodiments the cap 100 can be fitted with adisplay device 160 such as an LCD screen to display information to theuser. Where an appropriate cavity 150 is provided, the screen may bepositioned on the top surface 114 of the cap 100 so that it can beeasily seen by the user. Various controls can be positioned atappropriate locations on the cap 100 to select the information to bedisplayed on display device 160. In various exemplary embodimentscontrol buttons 162, 164, 166, can be provided, or the display screen160 may be a touchscreen with controls that are activated by the user'stouch or gesture.

In various exemplary embodiments, digital storage, processing, andcommunications can be provided to manage data collected by such systems.Communications such as Bluetooth, WiFi, WAN, NFC, cellular, etc. toallow the system to communicate with smartphones, laptops, networks,cloud-based systems, etc. to transfer, exchange, or receive informationfor storage or display to the user. Such systems would allow the user totransfer information gathered during their activities for storage anduse without the need to carry any additional electronic devices. Forexample, a cap could be equipped with sensors that gather basic physicalinformation such as heartrate, respiration rate, blood pressure, bloodoxygen level and hydration levels. This information can be stored and/ordisplayed to the user via a display device 160 located in cavity 150,and transferred to a remote system for storage, compilation, analysisand display on a different device such as a smartphone, tablet, or othercomputer. The system can be controlled by any appropriate user interfacemounted in the housing such as a touchscreen, buttons, or other userinput devices.

As indicated above, wide range if different sensors may be used togather information relevant to the user. In various exemplaryembodiments, a probe 170 or sensor may extend into the container 172that measures the quantity of fluid in the container 172. Such a devicecould measure the fluid level using a capacitance probe, a resistanceprobe, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a mechanical float, apressure sensor, or any other technique. A processor can then use thefluid level measurement to determine the quantity of fluid that has beenconsumed over time. The system can then display the quantity of fluidconsumed by the user on display device 160. The probe can extend fromthe cap into the container 172, or can be built-in or attached directlyto the container 172 itself and feed data to the cap or device fordisplay to the user.

The user's heart rate can be measured and displayed to the user ondisplay device 160. Heart rate can be detected by measuring electricalsignals between two locations on the users body, such as between the twohands or between one hand and another part of the body, between twofingers, or even between two points on one finger. Heart rate can alsobe detected using optical sensors that measure the relative amount oflight transmitted through a finger or thumb, or by any other techniquethat may be developed. Heart rate sensor electrodes can be provided onthe valve button 108 and gripping area 116 where the user's handsnaturally grip the cap during use, or on one or more of the controlbuttons 162, 164, 166, or at any other locations on the cap 100 orcontainer 172.

The user's step count can similarly be measured and displayed to theuser on the display device 160. Step count can be measured using anelectronic accelerometer of any type, mechanically such as using aweighted spring that contacts a switch, flexes a piezo membrane, orflexes a strain gauge, a vibration sensor, or by any other suitablemeans in the cap 100 or container 172.

In various exemplary embodiments a range of different information can besensed and displayed to the user. For example, control buttons 162, 164,166 could be used to display heart rate, fluid consumption, and stepcount respectively, or similar controls could be accessed via atouchscreen display. Display controls can be programmed to display anyavailable information to the user via display device 160.

In various exemplary embodiments, the valve mechanism is designed topreserve open volume below the top surface 114 of housing 104 in thearea opposite opening 112 such that cavity 150 can be positioned in thebest possible location to be viewed by the user without the need toincrease the size or volume of the housing 104. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention, the valve actuator has a generally U-shapedsection that extends laterally to a point adjacent to or in contact withthe valve seal 132 on the upper portion of the actuating side 134 in theresting position with the valve closed as described above to maintainspace for cavity 150 in the best location within housing 104.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap for use with a beverage containercomprising: a housing that attaches to a beverage container, the housingcomprising an opening for dispensing the contents of the beveragecontainer and further comprising a valve button; a valve seal actuatorlocated inside the housing and a valve seal comprising a food gradeelastomeric material that in its resting position is biased against theinternal top surface of the housing to seal the opening; whereinpressure on the valve button activates the valve seal actuator to openthe seal formed between the valve seal and the opening.
 2. The cap ofclaim 1, wherein the valve seal uses the spring force of the elastomericmaterial to achieve and maintain a seal.
 3. The cap of claim 1, whereinthe valve seal has a sealing side that matches the interior contours ofthe housing in the area of opening.
 4. The cap of claim 1, wherein thevalve seal has a generally U-shaped profile with a generally verticalactuating side.
 5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the valve seal has agenerally vertical anchor side that may be contoured to match the shapeof the interior side of the housing or other adjacent surface.
 6. Thecap of claim 1, wherein the valve button is located on the side surfaceof housing generally opposite the peripheral location of the opening. 7.The cap of claim 1, further comprising a clip that extends downward fromlower periphery of housing.
 8. The cap of claim 7, wherein the clip hasconcave inner surface to provide for secure engagement when used with abelt or in a pocket.
 9. The cap of claim 7, wherein the clip comprises amaterial that improves frictional engagement such as an elastomericmaterial or coating.
 10. The cap of claim 1, the housing furthercomprising a display for the presentation of information to the user.11. The cap of claim 10, further comprising one or more sensors togather information to be displayed to the user.
 12. The cap of claim 11,wherein the sensors include a heart rate monitor.
 13. The cap of claim11, wherein the sensors include a pedometer.
 14. A cap for use with abeverage container comprising: a cap housing that attaches to a beveragecontainer, the cap housing comprising an opening for dispensing thecontents of the beverage container and further comprising a valve buttonthat can be depressed into a valve button cavity extending into thehousing, the valve button including a shaft that extends through anaperture in the valve button cavity into the interior of housing; ashaft seal that seals the aperture and retains the valve button in thevalve button cavity; a valve seal actuator attached to the valve buttonshaft and located inside the housing and a valve seal comprising a foodgrade elastomeric material that in its resting position is biasedagainst the internal top surface of the housing to seal the opening;wherein pressure on the valve button activates the valve seal actuatorto open the seal formed between the valve seal and the opening.
 15. Thecap of claim 14, wherein the valve seal uses the spring force of theelastomeric material to achieve and maintain a seal.
 16. The cap ofclaim 14, wherein the valve seal has a sealing side that matches theinterior contours of the housing in the area of opening.
 17. The cap ofclaim 14, wherein the valve seal has a generally U-shaped profile with agenerally vertical actuating side.
 18. The cap of claim 14, wherein thevalve seal has a generally vertical anchor side that may be contoured tomatch the shape of the interior side of the housing or other adjacentsurface.
 19. The cap of claim 14, wherein the valve button is located onthe side surface of housing generally opposite the peripheral locationof the opening.
 20. The cap of claim 14, further comprising a clip thatextends downward from lower periphery of housing.